The first 50 pages is a lot of admin/bylaw stuff. Proposals begin on p. 51 - first general rules, then the proposals for each sport - figure skating begins on p. 101.

The things that jump out at me:

1. A couple of different proposals to count all judges' scores - no more random selection.

2. Qual rounds at ISU Campionships are back. It looks like a country's entries won't have to qual if the country had the same number of finishers in the top 18 (singles) or 12 (pairs), or 15 (dance) the year before. If not, they go to a QR before the SP/OD (or whatever the new dance abbreviation will be). It will be the day before the main comp begins and it appears individual feds will have to foot the extra hotel bill.

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

4. It also looks like the age rules for Junior int'ls may change to take away the under-21 provision for a male pairs skater/dancer and make 18 the age limit for everyone.

5. SP changes: the spiral sequence is being removed from the Junior and Senior Ladies SP but can be included as a "transition". Both men and ladies will have 1 step sequence. Senior ladies may do 3axel in the SP. Men can do 2 different quads. 2 step sequences (men) and 1 step and 1 spiral (ladies) are still required in the FS. In Pairs SP, it looks like there will be no more spiral sequence, at least for the next 5 years, and the solo spin combo and pair spin combo will alternate from 1 year to the next - next season, it's the solo spin. In Pairs FS, a spiral sequence is required instead of a step.

6. In Dance, there is a new type of step sequence for the "short dance" - the Partial Step Sequence (performed anywhere on the ice)

Kneeling or sliding on both knees has been outlawed in both the short dance and FD, as has swinging a partner around by the skates or legs (doesn't say anything about costumes, though, I thought that had also been included?).

1. A couple of different proposals to count all judges' scores - no more random selection.

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Yes -- please pass one of these.

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

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Well, these are very achievable scores for anyone who wants to compete at the senior level. It won't make much difference in the total numbers of entrants but will exclude skaters who aren't close to an international standard.

4. It also looks like the age rules for Junior int'ls may change to take away the under-21 provision for a male pairs skater/dancer and make 18 the age limit for everyone.

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This could cause problems.

5. SP changes: the spiral sequence is being removed from the Junior and Senior Ladies SP but can be included as a "transition". Both men and ladies will have 1 step sequence. Senior ladies may do 3axel in the SP. Men can do 2 different quads. 2 step sequences (men) and 1 step and 1 spiral (ladies) are still required in the FS. In Pairs SP, it looks like there will be no more spiral sequence, at least for the next 5 years, and the solo spin combo and pair spin combo will alternate from 1 year to the next - next season, it's the solo spin. In Pairs FS, a spiral sequence is required instead of a step.

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Huh. We'll see whether these all pass.

So they're taking an element out of the SP but keeping it in the LP? In one way it makes more sense to require specific spiral skills as an element in the more technical program and give more freedom in the supposedly freer program.

But in another way, this will lower the scores in the short programs so that they will be closer to half that of the long programs. So that may make it harder for skaters to build up as much of a lead after the short.

Well, harder for those skaters who excel in spirals or steps. Skaters who blow everyone else away primarily on the jumps will still have big leads.

There will be more time for transitions in the short programs (since the difference in time limit between the two programs is narrower than the difference in number of elements -- or are they also going back to the 2:40 maximum?). Which means that the stronger overall skaters, who use the extra time for in-betweens wisely and boost their PCS as a result, can still build up good leads.

The Congress will be held from June 12-20, 2010. Looks like elections will be on 18 June.

ISU is proposing to undergo a major restructuring.

Here is the summary info:

At the most recent Council Meetings, Proposals by Members for the 2010 Congress Agenda were reviewed. This input, plus Council re-consideration of certain Proposals has resulted in important modifications to prior versions of the Council Proposals. The Council appreciates the careful attention of the Members to specific issues, as well as the general comments received from Members.

The final Council Proposals on this Agenda differ from prior versions in these principal respects:

deletion of a proposed Executive Committee in favour of ad hoc duty assignments by the Council;

dropping from consideration a reduction in the number of elected members of the TCs;

adding specific restrictions upon the extraordinary powers of the Council (US proposal);

increasing the role of the Vice-Presidents (Russian proposal);

providing the possibility that the appointed member of a TC may be of the same nationality as one of the elected member (Italian Proposal);

and including Technical Controllers as persons qualified for election to the TC (Canadian proposal).

As a result of the above, if the Council Proposals are adopted by the Congress effective immediately (Constitution Article 1, paragraph 2) as a package, inconsistent Member proposals on the Agenda will be deleted and removed from Congress consideration to shorten an already very-long Agenda.

Also proposed is:
 a shorter Congress (4 days) held at 4 year intervals (in June after each OWG) with a Members Conference of fewer participants held 2 years after each Congress. The quadrennial Congress Agenda will be composed of proposed amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws, General Regulations and Special Regulations. Only the Council and Members may propose such amendments to the Congress. The Technical Committees and Sports Directors may suggest such amendments to the Council for possible adoption as Proposals to the Congress.

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Next there is the constitution including the proposed changes.
Then, the proposals are listed starting on page 51.

Constitution Proposals (FS = figure skating federation)

1. Finland FS: Add Office Holders in the Organization of the ISU  xiii)Marketing Director and xiv) Public Relations and Communication Director
Council NOT in favor

2. Serbia: Only those representatives of Members may attend who have been duly nominated by Members.
Council NOT in favor

3. Canada FS: During the Congress any Member can request debate on to a specific change in the Technical Rules as proposed by the respective Technical Committee and approved by the Sports Directorate.
Reason: To allow any technical rule change to be debated using positive language, which should lead to less confusion in the voting process.
Council NOT in favor

4. Russia FS: Any objection put forward by a Member during the Congress to a change in the Technical Rules as proposed by the respective Technical Committee and approved by the respective Vice President Sports Directorate requires a second member to support the objection and subsequently a simple majority to become effective. Such objection may only propose not to accept the change, it cannot propose any amendment.
Council NOT in favor

5. USA FS: Term limits. Elected officials may serve for a maximum of three successive four-year terms.
Council IN favor, as long as each ISU office (president, VP, etc) is counted separately for term limits

6. Russia FS: Have the Technical Committees under the supervision of the corresponding Vice-President.
Council IN favor

7. Austria: The right to modify or the suspend of the applicability of any Rule has always been a privilege of the Members. The Members must be involved in the process and not just be informed of decisions taken by the Council.
Council NOT in favor , see proposal 9

8. Russia FS: The right to modify or suspend the applicability of any Rules is always a privilege of the Members. Only the Congress may take decisions on general aspects of ISU Rules and the Council should not have the power to change the decision of the Congress.
Council NOT in favor, see proposal 9

9. USA FS: Define what "exceptional circumstances" means when the Council acts alone to change Rules, etc. without the Congress' (and Members) approval/input.
Council IN favor, included in Restructuring proposal.

10. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

11. Serbia: stuff about the sports director...

12. USA FS: Singles and Pairs FS technical committee needs more members because they have more officials and events to oversee than Dance and Synchro committees.
Council NOT in favor

13. Italy: Within one Committee the members must be of different nationalities and ISU Members except for the Skater and/or Coach appointed who may have the same nationality as one of the elected Committee members.
Council IN favor

14. Canada FS: Only persons named in the current lists of ISU Referees, ISU Controllers or ISU Judges are eligible for election to the four positions in the Committees for Single and Pair Skating, Ice Dance or Synchronized Skating and then only in the respective branch;
Reason: To more formally allow the expertise of the technical panel to be reflected in the composition of the technical committee.
Council IN favor

15. Croatia FS: more stuff about who can be on technical committees. Council NOT in favor.

16. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

17. Canada FS: Include non-mathematical criteria when the Officials Assessment Commission (OAC) identifies Referee and Judging anomalies.
Council IN favor

18. Finland FS: Include decisions taken by Technical Panels in the OAC's work.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

19. Serbia: restrict OAC membership to referees only.
Council NOT in favor, need judges in the OAC for figure skating.

20. USA speed: 21 day advanced notice of any rule changes for competitors.
Council NOT in favor

21. France: convene workshops outside of Congress meetings.
Council NOT in favor, new restructuring gets rid of workshops.

22. Serbia: Get rid of workshops. Too to attend.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

23. Canada FS: Allow the financial report (item 15) to happen in advance of any consideration of proposals so that the financial reality of the union can be properly considered in the debate of proposals.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

24. Canada FS: Allow any technical rule change to be debated using positive language, which should lead to less confusion in the voting process.
Council NOT in favor, new restructuring puts technical rule changes under the Council.

25. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

26. ISU: Add World Team Trophy (WTT) and Synchro Jr. World Challenge Cup to the list of official "ISU Events." This list already includes ISU Championships and the GP and JGP.

27. ISU: Members shall have the obligation to inform the ISU immediately in case that a Skater or official, who has taken part in international activities as an eligible person, becomes ineligible.
The ISU wants to get notice from the member (federations) is someone is ineligible/retired.

28. ISU: Trademarks - clarify that trademarks worn by skaters during official pre-competition warmups (i.e. the six minute warm up) are allowed and restricted based on Rule 102.

29. Finland FS: increase the number of allowed trademarks from 2 to 4 to increase sponsorship
Council IN favor

32. France: Put federations in charge of overseeing internet gambling on events.
Council NOT in favor, does not want to get involved in betting activities

33. USA speed: Speed skating TV stuff.

34. Finland FS: change the name of the Synchro Jr. World Challenge Cup to the World Jr. Synchro Skating Champs.
Council NOT in favor, added this comp to ISU events.

35. ISU: Add language about Youth Olympic Games and WTT to Rule 107.

36. ISU: Eliminate Short track team worlds.

37. Finland FS: Only ISU sanctioned comps should be on ISU calendar. Only members (federations) can enter skaters in sanctioned comps.
Council NOT in favor, provision already in Rule 109.

38. France: have an ISU Syncro World Cup (novice, jr, sr) Series
Council NOT in favor

39. France: add a "juvenile" competition category.
Council NOT in favor

40. France: change wording about Adult comps.
Council NOT in favor

41. France: international comps for disabled skaters
Council NOT in favor, not their area of expertise

42. France: Age limits for figure skating. Change ages for novice, create ages for juvenile comps.
Council NOT in favor.

43. ISU: Age limits.

a) The word &#8220;Senior&#8221; is used in this Rule and in the ISU Statutes to describe participation in certain events/competitions that have a minimum age entry requirement of fifteen (15) years, determined in each instance by the birthday of the Skater that occurs before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant competition.
b) &#8220;Senior&#8221; shall not be used in the title of any ISU Event. The official title of the ISU Event is that title stated in a specific ISU directive such as the ISU Communication announcing allotments by the Council, the relevant Memorandum, or the Official ISU Trade name and Trademark Guide.
...For all ISU sport disciplines when a Junior of 15 years reached before July 1st, has competed twice in total in Senior events, even in different seasons, the Skater cannot compete any more in Junior events/competitions.
For the determination of the applicable two Senior events permitted the following applies: all Senior major events (ISU Championships, ISU Team Events, Olympic Winter Games) count each for one participation of the two max. permitted, but ISU Grand Prix Series and Final, ISU World Cup Speed Skating and ISU World Cup Short Track
Speed Skating, regardless of participation in more than one competition forming a series, shall be considered as one participation only.
For Pairs and Ice Dance the conditions above governing participation in Senior events and limiting return to Junior events are valid, but in case of change of partner the participation in previous Senior competition/s will not count.

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Age limits for figure skating.

a) Senior
In ISU Senior Championships, ISU Senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating and Final, International Senior Competitions and the Olympic Winter Games only Skaters may compete who have reached the age of fifteen (15) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition. For exceptions see item c) of this paragraph.

b) Junior
i) A Junior is a Skater who has reached the age of thirteen (13) but not the age of eighteen (18) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition.
ii) In ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and ISU Synchronized World Challenge Cup for Juniors, only Junior Skaters may compete who have reached the age of fourteen (14) but not the age of eighteen (18) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition.
iii) International Junior Competitions are open only to age-eligible Junior Skaters. Sub-groups are permitted with the approval of the Council.

c) Pair Skating and Ice Dance (Pairs and Couples) What in this paragraph 3 related to these two sport disciplines, with the exception of the Novice category, becomes effective as of the season 2011/12 &#8211; for the season 2010/11 the age limits for Pair Skating and Ice Dance as per Rule 108, paragaraph 2 of the 2008 General Regulations apply.
Exclusively for Pairs and Couples the following special age Rule is applicable. Between two Skaters it is permitted a difference of age so that Skaters of thirteen or fourteen years can form a Pair or Couple with a Skater of eighteen or nineteen years (therefore no longer Junior). Provided they are qualified and entered by their Member according to ISU Rules, these Pairs/Couples can take part in any ISU Events and International Competitions with the exclusion of all Junior events/competitions, the Olympic Winter Games and YOG for which specific age limits are imposed.

d) Novice:
i) A Novice is a Skater who, before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant competition, has reached the age of ten (10) but not the age of thirteen (13).
ii) In International Novice Competitions, subgroups are permitted with the approval of the Council.
iii) A Novice Skater in Pairs or Ice Dance may compete in a Junior Competition with a Junior partner if that partner is age-eligible to compete in the relevant competition as a Junior.

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Synchro age limits are similar to the other FS limits.

5. Special Categories for All Disciplines
It is evident that some Skaters who reach the upper age limit for Juniors require further improvement (through training
and competition) to compete effectively with more seasoned Skaters.
Accordingly, Skaters of an age exceeding Junior age may be assigned to one of two Special Categories (SC) titled: SC1
and SC2. Such assignment is made by each Skater&#8217;s respective Member association if approved by the relevant ISU
Technical Committee. It is foreseen that at national level elite Skaters of a Member aged 18, 19 will be assigned to SC1, those aged 20, 21, 22
to category SC2 and can take part in all International Competitions, ISU Events and Olympic Winter Games, provided
they are qualified and entered by their Member/NOC according to the ISU/IOC Rules Age reached before the July 1st
immediately preceding the relevant competition. In Pairs and Ice Dance, Skaters of age for SC1 or SC2 can participate with a partner of Junior age in competitions open
to the mentioned categories SC1 or SC2, but the Pair or Couple having one Junior Skater cannot skate in Junior
competitions.
Organizers may organize events/competitions that permit all entered Skaters in categories SC1 and SC2 to compete
with the other entered Skaters. The results for the Special Categories, however, may be separately reported for
statistical purposes.

44. Russia FS: change senior age limit to 14 from 15 so the age limit is consistent across all international comps including ISU Champs.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

45. Russia FS: reduce upper junior ages from 19 to 18 in singles and from 21 to 19 for men in pairs/couples.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

46. Russia FS: Introduce international Novice age limits and comps.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

47. France: synchro age limits....
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

48. ISU: "The AZE Rule" (my words, not theirs )

The Council may also reject an application from a Member for a permission that a Skater who has or had foreign citizenship may compete for that Member, although the formalities and requirements stated in this rule have been met, if in the opinion of the Council granting such application would be contrary to the purpose and spirit of the rule. (E.g. in case that a Member tries to &#8220;import&#8221; several athletes with foreign citizenship , in particular when such athletes should form a new national team of such Member or its substantial part.) Reason: Some Members, instead of educating their own Skaters, have repeatedly tried to "import" foreign Skaters and grant them in some kind of extraordinary and speedy proceeding citizenship of the country of that Member in order that the Member may be represented in international competitions and ISU Events.
Such actions are contrary to the purpose and spirit of rule 109 which is to make it possible for Skaters, who for serious and genuine reasons have to change their citizenship or permanent residence, to continue to compete.

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49. France: Stop sending hard copies to the ISU of competition annoucements.
Council IN favor

50. Ice Dance TC: update language in Rule 112 to reflect the new Pattern Dance (replace CD) and Short Dance (replace OD).
Council IN favor

51. ISU: Implement consistent procedure for dealing with late entries.

52. France: Add wording to allow entrance fees for international competitions that are not ISU events.
Council IN favor, but change ISU events to ISU champs

53. Finland FS: keep close relatives for serving technical/judging roles for the same segment of a competition.
Council NOT in favor, already sufficient wording in Rule 121

54. USA FS: conflict of interests for ISU office holders... ISU Council will further evaluate this.

55. Ice Dance TC: update language in Rule 123 to reflect the new Pattern Dance (replace CD) and Short Dance (replace OD).
Council IN favor

56. France: similar to proposal 49. Council IN favor.

57. ISU: about announcement copies.

58. ISU (Drafting Matter): OAC members at a FS championship are appointed by the ISU President.

59. Japan: In World Junior Figure Skating Championships the only Skaters who did not participate in European Championships or Four Continents Championships in relevant ISU skating season are eligible to compete. Too much stress to do both.
Council NOT in favor. See age limits to restrict Junior/Senior overlap.

60. ISU: Make sure that skaters have cleared the internet rights as well for their program music and choreo (in addition to performance and TV rights).

I disagree with the age restriction changes - they will hamper/discourage 'late developers' and weaker skating nations. Dont mind the restriction limiting juniors competing in Senior events too. And by bringing down the age limit for boys ... you are penalising the girls who will be forced to skate senior before their time as most have older partners.

The qualifying round is probably a good idea if we are to accept these reduced free skate numbers.

I dont understand what the proposals are for ice dance in terms of the compulsory/original replacement?

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

1. Finland FS: Add Office Holders in the Organization of the ISU  xiii)Marketing Director and xiv) Public Relations and Communication Director
Council NOT in favor

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How shortsighted. If any organization needs some professional advice on marketing and PR, it would be the ISU.

23. Canada FS: Allow the financial report (item 15) to happen in advance of any consideration of proposals so that the financial reality of the union can be properly considered in the debate of proposals.

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The ISU has financial reports? Seriously, who knew? I'd sure like to see one of these.

There's sooo much to digest right now. I spent like 3 hours reading all and still Im unclear about lots of stuff , specially the new Short Dance..

Overall this new proposals arent as whacky as I thought they would be but I hate that there are so many of them included in one single rule so the voting will come as a package. For example, I really like the new proposal of skaters that already competed internationally twice as seniro can not go to Jr. Worlds but I really dont like the restriction to only 18 years for all Pair/Dance boys but since both proposals are within the same rule it's all or nothing. I wouldnt want to be a member representative for sure.

165. Russia FS: Have 9 judges on panel plus one substitute. Have all 9 scores count, but maintain anonymity of judges.

166. USA FS: Allow all judges scores to count after a trim of the high and low score. Require 12 judges and one substitute judge at major competitions.

167. Ice Dance TC: Update language with Pattern Dance (prescribed dance) and Short Dance (prescribed rhythm). The Short Dance and Free Dance must be included in all ISU Championships, the Olympic Winter Games and in ISU Grand Prix events (Senior and Junior). Separate International Senior Competitions in Free Dance only may be organized.

172. Canada FS: similar to 171, but includes that Junior events be a CD and a FD.

While we completely agree with the position for the Senior level (and have advocated such for many years) this proposal will allow compulsory dances continue to play a vital and viable competition role for developmental ice dancers.

182. Canada FS: Clarify how the trimmed mean for judges scores is calculated.

183. SPS (single and pairs skating) TC: Jump combinations are evaluated as one unit by adding the base values of the jumps included, multiplying the result by 1.1 and after that applying the GOE with the numerical value of the most difficult jump. Reason: to give more credit to jump combinations which are more difficult than the included jumps in isolation.

184. SPS, Ice Dance, Synchro TC: Delete bonus in Rule 353 (An innovative element, movement or transition may be granted with a special bonus of two (2) points. This bonus can only be obtained once for a program) because it has never been used up to now.
Also to have the same values for Combination Lift as for the two Short Lifts in Ice Dance.

185., 186., 187., and 188. Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden: multiply base values (not GOE) of jumps/throws/lifts after 2 minutes (2 min 20 sec for pairs) in the short program by 1.1

Add the deduction for music violation and change the deduction for costume and prop violations as follows (ice dance)- violation of music restrictions (Free Dance) &#8211; 3.0;
- costume and prop violation &#8211; 3.0;
- part of the costume/decoration fall on the ice &#8211; 1.0

Reason: to avoid to draw the public&#8217;s attraction more towards the costume than the performance, to stay within a proper sport character; the increase of deductions should reflect the severity of violation.

190. SPS TC: Delete the following from Rule 353 1 m ii:- deduction of -2.0 will be applied when appropriate in case of a fresh start (see Rule 551); Reason: though the goal of applying this deduction is quite fair, a decision to stop competitor(s) which will be followed by a serious deduction, seems a too big pressure on the Referees; the Judges however will be advised that a &#8220;fresh start&#8221; might negatively influence the Components scores.

191. Italy: remove the 1.0 point vocal music deduction for singles and pairs.
Vocal music is not allowed so why deduct for using it, inconsistent.

192. Ice Dance TC: Program Component Factors for Ice Dancei) The panel&#8217;s points for each Program Component are then multiplied by factors which are as follows:

Pattern Dance

Skating Skills 0.75

Performance 0.50

Interpretation 0.50

Timing 0.75

Short Dance

Skating Skills 0.80

Transitions/Linking Footwork/Movements 0.800.70

Performance/Execution 0.600.70

Composition/Choreography 0.600.80

Interpretation/Timing 1.00

Free Dance &#8211; not changed.

193. Ice Dance TC: new dance language change.

194. France: For the Original and Free Dance only: if a stumble or fall causesin case interruptions to the program due to one or both partners&#8217; mistakethat exceed 5 seconds, an additional deduction will be applied as follows:
-1.0 (for 6-15 seconds interruption) and -2.0 (for 16-30 seconds interruption) Reason: interruptions by the Skaters&#8217; mistake can be caused by other reasons than stumble or fall.

Minimum qualifying scores are introduced. Members (federations) can enter at least one competitor per discipline provided that they have met the minimum qualifying score.

Minimum Qualifying Scores
To be entered into and participate in the Championships/Qualifying Round of a Senior ISU Championships a Competitor must have reached in an ISU recognized International Competition during the ongoing or immediately preceeding season the applicable minimum Total Result Scores (points). The applicable minimum Total Result Scores shall be decided for each season by the ISU Council based on a joint proposal from the respective Technical Committee and the Sports Directorate and shall be published in an ISU Communication. No Minimum Score is required for the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

* In the case that the number of total Competitors subject to be entered into a Championships, either directly or through a Qualifying Round exceeds this quota only by 2 Competitors, the President has the right to cancel such Qualifying Round for the respective discipline and to increase the number of total entries into the first segment of the Championships by 2 Competitors. (applies for all ISU Championships)

In case some of the Members do not use their full quota of Direct entries, the resulting open Direct entries will be replaced by Qualifying Round entries by increasing the number of Qualifying Round entries. (for Jr. Worlds and Worlds).

Overall Entry Quotas
Members who have participated in the immediately preceding season in the corresponding discipline (Men, Ladies, Pair Skating, Ice Dance) of the same Championship shall accumulate points equal to the sum of placements of their Competitors who were entered in this preceding season&#8217;s Championships.

The point system remains the same as currently used to determine spots (entry quotas) for Euros and Worlds. 4CC is still open entry (no quota, max 3 per member).

Direct Entries
Members are listed in the order of their best placed participant in the corresponding discipline of the preceding season&#8217;s same Championships.

From the Overall Entry Quota a Member gets as many Direct entries as the number of this Member&#8217;s Skaters in the top 18 places for Singles, top 12 places for Pairs and top 15 places for Ice Dance in the corresponding discipline of the preceding season&#8217;s same Championships.

In case the number of Direct Entries obtained this way is less than required, the next listed Member(s) obtain the right for Direct entry until the required number of entries is reached.

For these Direct entries, the respective Members may decide upon the entries by name at their discretion provided the entered Competitor(s) have reached the Minimum Scores as per paragraph 3. above.

Qualifying Round
Competitors competing in the Qualifying Round and succeeding to earn an entry into the first segment of the Championships, are entitled to skate the first segment of the Championships. In case of withdrawal/disqualification, the corresponding entry into the first segment cannot be transferred to another Competitor of the Member.

The Qualifying Rounds include only the Free Skating, respectively the Free Dance.

The Qualifying Rounds will be skated at least one day prior to the first competition day of the respective Championships in the same venue as the Championships.

However, the expenses for travel, board and lodging of participants in the Qualifying
Rounds are at the expense of the participating Members.

The draw for the starting order in the Qualifying Round will be made according to Rule 579, respectively 635.

Scores (Points) achieved at the Qualifying Round shall not be considered for the Final.

Disposed Entries
In case a Member disposes of Direct entries as well as Qualifying Round entries in a Championships/discipline, the Competitors ranked higher in the ISU World Standings (at time of making the entry) must be given preference for the Direct entries. The Competitor(s) ranked lower in the ISU World Standings must be entered into the Qualifying Round.

(^ I am not sure I understand this...I think they are trying to say that if for example Russia has 3 pairs spots but only 2 direct entries the top 2 ISU-ranked pairs get the direct entries and the lower ranked pair has to go to the QR.
Or are they talking about if someone gives up a direct entry and who it goes to?. I don't get how they are using "dispose" here...)

Host Member Rule
If the competitor(s) of the host member did not qualify for the first segment (SP, SD) during the QR, one competitor of the Host Member shall have the right to additionally enter and participate in each discipline provided they meet the minimum score requirements.

Reason: The increasingly high number of entries in ISU Championships constitutes a serious challenge and threat, both to the organizing ISU Members and the ISU. It results in high expenses and has already threatened the appropriate financial funding and consequently organization and conduct of ISU Championships. It furthermore makes it basically impossible to stage attractive Championships with high quality skating and a reasonable duration which nowadays is crucial for live TV telecast and for attracting the public on site.

The Council and Techical Committees have prepared this proposal taking into account that the ISU Championships are the highest level ISU Events. As such, Championships should be open to Competitors of an adequate level only and consequently guaranty to remain an attractive product for the media and the public which is the basis to generate the needed ISU incomes. Such incomes are the necessary basis to maintain the ISU activity thanks to generous ISU financial support.

The Council furthermore took into account that the ISU is giving substantial financial support to other ISU Events, such as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating where lower level competitors have a chance to compete internationally at favourable financial conditions.

Through the introduction of Qualifying Rounds before and at the site of the Championships for lower level Competitors and the reduction of entries into the actual Championships, the financial burden of the Championships organizing Members becomes more reasonable. All Members, also those with lower level Skaters, have a possibility to be on site of the Championships at a certain expense and possibly qualify their Competitors for the actual Championships.

I wonder if some of these proposals (like the "Disposed Entries" one) make more sense in whatever language the originator normally speaks. I'm confused. (Feels like I'm reading a use and care booklet from 1990 written by someone in Taiwan who learned English from someone who knew someone who sort-of spoke English.

Interesting to note that the second step sequence for the men and the spiral sequence for the ladies will have a fixed base value and be judged only on GOE. Only two 3 second positions or one 6 second position is required for a spiral sequence to count.

The men also must pick either camel or sit for their flying spin in the SP and do the other position for their change foot single position spin. IIRC, many of the men have iffy camel spins, so this should be interesting to see .

I'm really confused at the rule that says a short dance OR a pattern dance can be used as the first round in ice dance. Are they going to go back and forth between the two types like they do (or did ) between different compulsory dances?

Also, with the previous language about music selections in ice dance and now the increase in deductions for "violations of music", I'm just not encouraged about the direction dance continues to take. I think everyone will play it even more safe and we'll see a bunch of Shpilband knockoffs this season.

I would love that they're increasing the value of the Choreography mark for ice dance if the judges actually marked it individually rather than just keeping it in line as the other PCS. More 9' and 10's for Davis and White, and now they'll be worth even more!

The "Aze Rule" is . But how do they determine what are "genuine" and "serious" reasons for changing countries? That might get messy.

It looks like there is consensus for bringing back a full panel, although Russia still wants the anonymity. I can understand that after the Russia judged got raked over the coals for being the only one brave enough to mark Hughe's sp correctly in SLC.

I love that France is trying to think of ways to bring in cash, but if online gambling of skating events becomes standard than I fear for my financial well being.

Interesting to note that the second step sequence for the men and the spiral sequence for the ladies will have a fixed base value and be judged only on GOE. Only two 3 second positions or one 6 second position is required for a spiral sequence to count.

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So they can get creative with other positions in ways that enhance the choreography, without technical reward even if there's more difficulty. And to include spread eagles, etc., in between the spirals if they prefer? We still probably won't see many attempts at difficult moves or positions that would have been features in the current rules but were too hard to get credit for and could also have a negative effect on quality, like back layouts or slide spirals. But there's always the possibility for GOE or PCS reward for fitting the music or for creativity, and holding a different, probably easier, position for 6 or two different positions for 3 will get the sequence to count.

No more requirement that only the first three positions count -- can several short positions followed by one 6-second position fill the requirement? Who's to say which of the preceding positions were part of the sequence and which were just transitions?

The men also must pick either camel or sit for their flying spin in the SP and do the other position for their change foot single position spin. IIRC, many of the men have iffy camel spins, so this should be interesting to see .

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Yeah. I'm wondering whether some of the senior guys will choose flying upright spins if they don't have good camels. Or if they don't have good sits, for a much smaller percentage.

Juniors are still at the mercy of the group rotations between flying camel/change sit and flying sit/change camel each year.

207, 208, and 209. Denmark/Finland/Sweden: All Skaters entered for ISU Championships must have participated in at least one International junior or senior competition on the ISU list during the 24 months preceding the Championships.

210. Tech Comms: technical specialist rules.

211. ISU: Eliminate small medals in ISU Championships.

212. Ice Dance TC: new dance language changes.

213. Austria FS: In view of the fact that the number of entries to the Olympic Games is limited, the qualification should be based on the names of the competitors, who actually placed within the top 24 in singles and 16 in pairs and 19 in dance at the previous World Championships and not the country. The right to participate in the Olympics should be privilege of the athletes and not their Member Associations.

221. USA FS: Allow all Olympics judges' scores to count after a trim of high and low score.

222. and 223. Ice Dance TC: new dance language changes.

224. Tech Comms: Referee AND the judges panel decide on costume, prop, and music violations (majority rule, referee double weighted). Want to avoid decisions taken by one person whenever possible.

ok this is getting boring. I am going to skip past the boring judges stuff.

258. ISU: Improved assessment of judges/technical panel. (It's really long, but if you care about it you can read it )

Technical Rules for Single and Pairs Skating (more fun stuff )

266. SPS TC: New Rule 510 - Required Elements.
Half-loop when used in combinations/sequences is considered as a listed jump with the Value of a Loop. Reason: to increase the variety of difficult three-jump-combinations.

267. SPS TC: A difficult change of position counts as a difficult spin variation. Also, to delete the requirements to the sit position that will be fulfilled automatically with the upper part of the skating leg parallel to the ice or even directed &#8220;upwards&#8221;; not to count as a new position simple upright spins even with more than 3 revolutions; also clarifications.

SinglesShort Program

268: SPS TC: Allow solo 3A or 2A in Senior Ladies SP to fulfill the axel entry requirement.
Reduce number of elements in SP.
One step sequence in the Senior/Jr SP for men.
Spiral sequence not a required element for senior/Jr ladies SP.

269: SPS TC: Men can do 2 quads in SP. However, they can't repeat a the same quad jump twice in the Men's SP (can't do 2 4T). The second jump must be a different type of quad jump.
Can't repeat 3A in the senior ladies SP or mens SP.

Any type of flying spin is permitted with landing position different than in the Spin in one position.

Senior Men - spin with only one change of foot: The Competitor is free to must choose either the camel position or the sit position to be executed, but this position must be different from the landing position of the Flying spin.

Step sequences may include any unlisted jumps.

Though a spiral sequence is no longer an element of the Ladies Short Program, the execution of Spirals will be rewarded in &#8220;Transitions&#8221;.

Free Skating.
270. SPS TC: For all: A Double Axel cannot be included more than two (2) times in total in a Single&#8217;s Free Program (as a Solo Jump or a part of Combination/Sequence).

For Senior Men the second (in the order of execution) step sequence will always be awarded a fixed Base Value and evaluated by Judges in GOE only. This sequence can have any pattern while fully utilizing the ice surface. [/B]

For Ladies: There must be at least two (2) spiral positions not less than three (3) seconds long each or only one (1) spiral position not less than six (6) seconds long. In case this requirement is not fulfilled, the spiral sequence will have no value. The Spiral Sequence will always be awarded a fixed Base Value and evaluated by Judges in GOE only.

273. SPS TC: Though a spiral sequence is no longer an element of the Pairs Short Program, the execution of Spirals will be rewarded in &#8220;Transitions&#8221;.

274. SPS TC: Pairs Free Skate. For Seniors the death spiral of Free Skating must be of a different type than the death spiral of the Short Program. No more than 1 spiral sequence.
The jump combination may consist of two (2) or three (3) jumps.
There must be at least two (2) spiral positions of each partner three (3) seconds long each. In case this requirement is not fulfilled, the spiral sequence will have no value.
The Spiral Sequence will always be awarded a fixed Base Value and evaluated by Judges in GOE only.

275. SPS TC: 1.1 factor for jump combinations.

276. SPS TC: Illegal elements called Level 1 (if they meet the requirements) or no level and the illegal element deduction will apply. This is less severe on skaters.

277. SPS TC: housekeeping.

278. ISU: Rule 548. Clarify the procedure in case of withdrawal and/or disqualification in between segments. From Communication 1596.

279. ISU: ISU Championship Draws.

Qualifying for the free skate:

Euros and 4CCs:
Singles: top 18
Pairs: top 12

Worlds and Jr. Worlds:
Singles: top 20
Pairs: top 16

Reason: Necessary amendments for Draws in line with proposal for Rule 378 and to reduce the number of Competitors to be qualified for the final Free Skating. Such reduction of competitors, qualified for the final Free Skating will offer to the public and Media an event of appropriate length and quality.

207, 208, and 209. Denmark/Finland/Sweden: All Skaters entered for ISU Championships must have participated in at least one International junior or senior competition on the ISU list during the 24 months preceding the Championships.

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I understand the motivation behind this, but I foresee problems, especially for Junior Worlds.

Sometimes a 13-year-old (usually in ladies' singles or the girl in a pair or dance team) in the first year of junior eligibility not get assigned to that year's JGP because they weren't on the radar in their country from the previous season, or does get assigned but can't compete because of illness, etc., but then impresses at that country's nationals and is an obvious choice for Junior Worlds.

A skater can have a breakout nationals in a country with deep fields at older ages also.

It would also be a hardship for skaters from the southern hemisphere who would otherwise be making their international debuts at Four Continents. If that's even a possibility, they'd have to make another long trip, probably to a Senior B event in Europe, the previous autumn to be eligible to enter 4Cs?

And what about new pair and dance teams, especially those involving one partner switching countries and sitting out for a year?

I can understand the point limits required if you want to compete at ISU Championships. It's only fair enough to demand a certain standard for those competitions.

The huge reduction in the number of skaters allowed to be entered, together with the re-introduction of Qualification Rounds is completely unacceptable, however.

First of all, it's discriminatory because some skaters will have to do it and others won't. Those who will are going to be at a disadvantage because of having been required to peak physically before the event begins.

The fact the (mostly poor) federations are going to have to pay extra for this is going to end up in less skaters from those countries being able to perform.

Most importantly the fact that a lot of skaters are not even going to see the short program is going to be a serious set back for the development of skating in many countries.

Screw you ISU.

14 to compete at Junior Worlds

What is the point of that change exactly?

Male Pairs/Ice Dance Junior Partners can't be older than 18

It's going to cause massive problems. It's difficult enough trying to team up two people together under the current rules.

Not being able to perform in Juniors after performing twice in Seniors

I like the idea behind that but it seems too strict.

It should be loosened somehow. As to allow a skater one more Junior season perhaps?

All Skaters entered for ISU Championships must have participated in at least one International junior or senior competition on the ISU list during the 24 months preceding the Championships.

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Very bad for the reasons gkelly already mentioned.

Getting rid of small medals

Isn't this what the idiotic break between the 1st and 2nd FS groups was for?